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Whichever team lands the first pick it will likely select Kentucky forward/center Nerlens Noel. Despite tearing his ACL in February, he's still the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 pick.

The Cavaliers head into the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday with the third-best odds for the No. 1 pick.

There's a 15.6-percent chance they'll get the top selection.

If they land the first pick, like most teams, they'll likely select Kentucky forward/center Nerlens Noel (6-foot-11 3/4, 206 pounds).

Despite tearing his ACL in February, he's still the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 pick.

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"I'm not surprised," Noel said. "I've got the talent and I'm going to do things the best I can. I definitely think this will make me a better player, having gone through this. I'm working on my jumper and putting on good weight."

There aren't many legitimate centers or power forwards that weigh just 206 pounds. He needs to add 25-30 pounds for the rigors of the NBA.

Noel said it would be gratifying to carry on the legacy if he's the third Kentucky player in the last four years to be drafted No. 1. The Cavs' selection of Duke guard Kyrie Irving in 2011 interrupted the incredible string of talent being generated by Wildcats coach John Calipari. John Wall was the top pick in 2010, and Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist went first and second, respectively, in 2012.

"I'm definitely proud," he said. "Coach Cal has had a lot of success these last few years. I feel proud to be mentioned in the University of Kentucky legacy."

'It's a Canadian thing'

Texas guard Myck Kabongo said he's proud of the way Cavs power forward Tristan Thompson is developing.

"He's my brother," he said. "I'm happy for him and how he's developed as a player. He hasn't hit his ceiling yet. He'll continue to get better.

"He works hard. We all work hard. It's in our Canadian blood. It's probably the Canadian bacon we eat. I don't know what it is. We work hard and enjoy watching and learning from other people. That's what you see from Tristan now. He's become a student of the game."

In this corner last week, we wrote about former Cavs general manager Danny Ferry's summer of 2005 when he went into free agency armed with what was then an NBA record $28 million in salary-cap space.

This summer, Ferry could have a staggering $38 million in cap space, as he will totally reshape the Hawks.

The Hawks' main target is Lakers center Dwight Howard, a native of Atlanta.

A source said if Howard is going to leave the Lakers, Houston might be his final destination.

Rumor mill

o The Lakers' cap situation is atrocious. Don't be shocked if they trade forward/center Pau Gasol, who is recovering from a knee procedure and needs another 10 weeks of rehabilitation. The 7-footer is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $19.28 million next year. The Cavs might be open to a deal like that, adding a veteran player to the group of youngsters on the roster. Another name could be Celtics forward Paul Pierce.

o Only $5 million of ierce's $15.33 million salary is guaranteed next season. Many think Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will shop him up to June 30. Pierce's salary protection for 2013-14 kicks in if he's on the roster as of July 1. The two sides are allowed under league rules to push back that date. Pierce has been a loyal employee his entire career, but it might be time to move on.

o For a team with two second-round picks like the Cavs, or even a team like Portland with three second-round selections, they might want to draft a European player and stash him overseas. Greek forward Giannis Adetokoubo, at 6-9, is one such prospect. The level of competition that he played -- the Greek second division -- is comparable to high school or the Division III college level. "So when you have elite college players who talk about the jump from elite college programs to the NBA, no matter how good they are, they're blown away by the speed, power and athleticism at the NBA level," ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford said. "Having Giannis come from Greece to the NBA, I can't even imagine what that transition would look like. One NBA GM said, 'Look, he's not even ready for the D-League right now. He would be blown away if they just stuck him in the D-League let alone the NBA.'"

o NBA observers insist that Sixers center Andrew Bynum should be added to the list of unrestricted free agents that will earn a maximum contract this summer. It could be a short list, as he could join Howard and Clippers point guard Chris Paul. New Sixers GM Sam Hinkie has exclusive negotiating rights with the 7-foot Bynum until July 1. It's unclear what the Sixers plan to do with Bynum, who missed the entire season with knee issues. Some teams think he's too much of a risk to offer him a max deal.

o The Raptors will let GM Bryan Colangelo know by Monday whether they have picked up his option for the 2013-14 season. There was talk that former Lakers coach Phil Jackson would join the front office, but that is total bunk.

o One GM polled at the draft combine was asked what he thought of the 2013 draft. He replied, "I wouldn't like it if we were in the top two." Noel is currently ranked No. 1 in the draft, followed by Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore (6-4 3/4, 189).

Quick shots

o Cavs coach Mike Brown has put his Los Angeles-area home on the market for $3.75 million. The Mediterranean-style house in the gated Anaheim Hills community features 9,503 square feet of living space with six bedrooms and 7 1/2 bathrooms. It was built in 1990 and later remodeled. Brown moved his family into the home he purchased in Westlake.

o Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum will take part in commencement ceremonies on Monday at the Bethlehem, Pa., school. The Canton GlenOak High School graduate majored in journalism and minored in mass communication and sociology. He'd love to go into broadcasting once his NBA career is over. "I'm also comfortable writing," he said. "I edited for the school newspaper. I'm capable of doing a lot of things."